C1     Rooted to Rise: Enhancing School Stability for Foster Youth to Prevent Dropout and Promote Success

Morgan Larkin, Colynn Bloch-Rodrigues and Jennifer Rios-Zambrano

Los Angeles County Office of Education

 

Join us for an empowering and data-driven session titled “Rooted to Rise: Enhancing School Stability for Foster Youth to Prevent Dropout and Promote Success.” This session sheds light on the unique challenges foster youth face: frequent school moves, trauma, and disrupted learning that place them at high risk for academic failure and disengagement. Together, we will explore how school stability acts as a powerful protective factor, supported by evidence-based practices and federal mandates such as ESSA and the Fostering Connections Act. Through real-life case studies, trauma-informed strategies, and cross-system collaboration models between education and child welfare, you s will learn how to create continuity, strengthen relationships, and reduce dropout risk. Leave equipped with practical tools, resources, and actionable steps to make your classroom or district a stable foundation where foster youth can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

 

C2     The Aftermath of the Eaton Fire: Foster Care and Education Disrupted

Olivia Gilchrist, Laura Liévano-Karim and Taylor Dudley

UCLA Pritzker Center for Strengthening Children and Families

 

In January 2025, Los Angeles County experienced devastating wildfires leading to significant loss, destruction, and displacement. The Eaton Fire impacted 225 children and youth involved in the Los Angeles County child welfare system. We will share findings from a community-based, mixed-methods study that examines how the Eaton Fire disrupted the educational experiences and school-based connections of these children and youth. Attendees will review the research brief and learn that the Eaton Fire exacerbated existing educational challenges, hindered access to critical school-based supports, and disrupted social connections with peers and trusted adults, diminishing students’ sense of belonging to their school and community. You will engage in active learning to assess key strategies for supporting children and youth in foster care following natural disasters, including supports tailored to students in postsecondary transition.

 

C3     Foster Youth Educational Rights 101!

Amy Fowler and Rico Petrino

California Department of Education

 

Empower Foster Youth! The California Department of Education would like to provide you with an opportunity to learn about the many foster youth educational rights students are afforded in our state. We will discuss how to best connect foster students to programs, resources, and financial aid for college and career readiness. Leave with a better understanding of the many avenues they can pursue in advocating for themselves, helping create sustainable and positive changes in their lives. 

 

C4     Collective Impact in Action: A Regional, Data-Driven Approach to Foster Youth Success

Dr. Eunice Miranda, Edwin Arvizo and Dr. Melissa Bazanos-Hutton

Riverside County Office of Education

 

This session highlights Riverside County’s Collective Impact in Action - a data-informed, regional approach to improving outcomes for foster youth through intentional collaboration between school districts and the Riverside County Office of Education. Through partnership between the Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program (FYSCP) and the Assessment, Accountability, and Continuous Improvement  Unit, structured data review sessions were launched to help districts analyze Dashboard outcomes and develop targeted goals for improvement. This work has evolved into a countywide model that aligns Dashboard data, LCAP foster youth goals, and district-level supports. Using these insights, FYSCP provides tailored assistance to each district, ensuring strategies reflect their LCAP priorities, infrastructure, and the unique needs of their foster youth population. The model also incorporates foster youth law assessments and a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) tracker designed specifically for foster youth. Participants will leave with practical tools and strategies to strengthen collaboration, drive systemic change, and build sustainable structures that promote educational success.

 

C5     Connecting the Dots: Exploring Intersections between Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) and Education Code (EC) for Foster Youth Success

John Oses and Michael Wimberly

California Department of Education

 

Welfare and Institutions Codes (WIC) and Education Codes (EC) play a vital role in shaping the educational experience of foster youth. But knowing who is responsible for what can be confusing! This interactive session will demystify key code sections related to school stability, education rights holders, caregiver roles, and school discipline. You will engage in real-world scenarios to identify which WIC and EC apply and how to effectively collaborate across systems. Join us to strengthen your understanding of how child welfare and education can work hand-in-hand to support foster youth success.

 

C6     Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAPs) and Students in Foster Care

Danielle Wondra, Children Now

Jill Rowland, Alliance for Children’s Rights

Alejandra Chamberlain, Contra Costa County Office of Education

Youth advocates

 

Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAPs) are a key accountability component of the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), intended for local educational agencies (LEAs) to show how they are serving high-need students, including students in foster care, and working to reduce achievement gaps. Yet, many LCAPs do not specify how LEAs plan to meet the unique educational needs of students in foster care. This workshop will cover the basics of LCFF and LCAPs and share resources to assist LEAs in developing their LCAPs for students in foster care. You will receive a sample LCAP with goals targeted to students in foster care with language that LEAs can use in their own LCAPs and a detailed worksheet to help attendees develop goals targeted to students in foster care, including for COEs to address LCFF Priority 10. This is especially useful for LEAs in which students in foster care have very low performance on one or more CA School Dashboard measures, as they are now required to include focused goals to address areas of low performance.

 

C7     Empowering Students Through Relationships: Partnership and Sustainability to Support Youth in Foster Care

Joanne Rodriguez, National Center for Youth Law

Trish Wilson, Lancaster School District

Mariah Amaya, Lancaster School District

 

The National Center for Youth Law in partnership with the Lancaster School District, will share strategies for supporting students in foster care through a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach. Our program focuses on building meaningful relationships and providing robust advocacy for students while building capacity for the adults who serve them. You will gain insights into effective relationship building and advocacy strategies, methods to boost student self-efficacy, and ways to ensure students understand their rights. We will also cover how this program went from a demonstration site to a district sustained position. We will discuss how we collaborate with districts and stakeholders to provide technical assistance and professional development. The session will demonstrate how to leverage student information systems to enhance support for youth. You will receive practical tools to improve student engagement, set impactful goals, increase stakeholder involvement, and access a resource guide for utilizing local community resources.

 

C8     Introduction to the Neurosequential Model in Education© (NME) and the FYSCP NME Pilot

Mindy Corless, LACOE, TAP

Katie Lohmiller, The Neurosequential Model in Education, Director

Halley Gruber, The Neurosequential Model in Education, Director

Meagan Meloy,  Butte COE TAP

Dr. Michelle Lustig, LACOE, FYSCP TAP

 

This workshop will provide an introduction to the Neurosequential Model in Education© (NME) presented by Dr. Katie Lohmiller and Halley Gruber M.A.Ed, founders of Educational Access Group and Directors of The Neurosequential Model in Education (NME). Through the brain-based, NME lens, the presenters will focus on the brain, systems and practices in education, and the ways we can - and do - plan to support ourselves and our students in light of the stress and trauma showing up in our classrooms and spaces.  The FYSCP Neurosequential Model in Education (NME) Pilot began in January of 2023 and enabled FYSCPs across California to participate in the NME Trainer Program with local LEA partners. These concepts of NME are foundational to understanding the needs of students in foster care and creating a supportive school environment.

 

C9     Beyond the System: Empowering Your Success through Learning

Thomas Rector and Frances Myers

Accrescent Institute

 

In this session, you will explore the intricate relationship between memories, learning, and achievement. Guided by an experienced mentor, you will learn the profound influence memories make on where you are now,  where you are going, and how you are able to influence your own success.  Through engaging discussions, you will gain key insights about learning, explore your definition of success, and learn how to leverage your memories for personal growth.The workshop will help you identify your individual learning styles and preferences, empowering you to embrace your unique identity and overcome barriers.

 

C10 Resilience: The Key To Overcoming Challenges

Dee Hankins, Inspiration Speaker and Author

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Students and Adult Supporters, come join us for a transformative workshop where you will discover the power of resilience and learn how to navigate life’s challenges with strength and optimism.  Through inspiring personal stories and strategies, you’ll gain valuable insights into building resilience and turning adversity into opportunities for growth. We will discuss “turning trials into triumphs” by exploring strategies for transforming negative experiences into positive life lessons.